Photo: Gregory Fisher ~ Imagn Images
EAST LANSING ~ Michigan State punched its ticket to the Sweet 16 with a gritty 77-69 win over Louisville in Saturday’s second-round matchup in Buffalo. The Spartans controlled most of the afternoon behind steady offense and timely defensive stops, holding the Cardinals to 41% shooting while hitting 47% of their own attempts. It was the kind of start-to-finish performance that set the tone for a Michigan State team intent on making another deep March run.
Junior forward Coen Carr delivered the performance of the day for Michigan State, finishing with a game-high 21 points on 8-for-13 shooting while adding 10 rebounds to complete a dominant double-double. Redshirt sophomore guard Jeremy Fears Jr. stabilized the offense with elite playmaking, dishing out 16 assists, a contribution that helped MSU generate clean looks all game. Senior forward Jaxon Kohler also added 10 points and six rebounds, giving Tom Izzo the balanced interior presence he needed to counter Louisville’s aggressive guard play.
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— Michigan State Men's Basketball (@MSU_Basketball) March 21, 2026
(CONTINUED) Louisville fought hard to stay close, trailing only 36-31 at the half. Senior guard Ryan Conwell’s 21 points and sophomore guard Adrian Wooley’s efficient 17 kept the Cardinals within reach, but foul trouble and cold shooting stretches made it difficult for them to maintainmomentum. Louisville knocked down 13 3-pointers to stay afloat, yet its offensive rhythm came and went, especially as Michigan State forced 11 turnovers and limited inside scoring opportunities.
In the end, Michigan State’s depth, ball movement and composure proved too much. The Spartans outrebounded Louisville 39-32, hit 11 3-pointers of their own and showed the late-game maturity of a team used to surviving March battles. With the win, MSU advances to its fifth straight trip beyond the tournament’s opening weekend, continuing Izzo’s trademark March consistency. Michigan State moves on with renewed confidence and the belief that its best basketball is still ahead.
The Spartans will play the winner of UConn and UCLA on Friday night in Washington, D.C.
